jp: this doesn't change a thing. Hizballah is just elbowing itself into the political circle, and trying to send a message. Furthermore:

1-Size doesn't matter when you have to import protesters from other countries

2-Size doesn't matter when you force people (complete schools, in some instances) to join the protest

3-Size doesn't matter when protesters don't really have a choice.

The demonstrations for freedom were spontaneous, and believable, who in their right mind who protest to thank an invador for leaving?

No, this doesn't change a thing. Change is coming, and it would do Hizballah some good to start considering how to lay down their arms, and join the ranks of peaceful citizens. Call this protest the dying embers of a dying age, if you will... It was nothing, one big pop, and then it was gone.

Appreciate your insight, Tempest. As for Eve and Emigre, I'm really not sure why some of you guys are so hostile. What's the problem with my interest in your situation? Especially when I really could be spending my free time blogging about something else. Really, I almost understand your cynicism,l because you probably have a reason for it historically speaking, but you should understand that western eyes are now fully fixed on all Human Rights and Democracy efforts across the middle east. We're watching because we now understand that your freedom is our security. If you don't like that that's the reason, fine, but at least understand that our Security Policy and National Interests are now fully aligned with Freedom in the middle east, rather than in supporting or at least tolerating terrorist dictatorships for "the sake of stability".As for the protests, I was asking becuase the HZB rally yesterday did change the media dynamic here a little. 500K people is a lot, and was double the democracy rallies of the previous several days. Regardless, I think HZB made a mistake, if their purpose was to ally with Assad, because if the army and security services aren't fully out by the May elections, sanctions will probably be in place by the US and EU. Also, HZB, by helping Syria, may have earned itself a "terrorist" rating by Europe, which has been hesitant on that front. The US had been pushing for that designation for some time now, and the EU didnt want to go that direction. This might have moved that decision along a little. Can we be friends now?

jpDon't take it to heart!I speak for myself at least when I say that I appreciate the world's interest and support.I think my friends were just reacting to an increasingly vocal accusation that the opposition is pushing for some Western agenda. We just want to stress that the players are Lebanese, but applause is always welcome!

JP, with all my respect to you and your above-mentioned opinion, but who was talking about you? Liminal posted a picture, and we commented. as simple as that. I'm sure I'm not the only one who have this opinion about Bush, since there are 49% of the American voters as well, right? In any case, yeah, we're friends, I have nothing against you personally :-)

Tempest, I read what you wrote, then I remembered Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11, and I couldn't make a connection between "Bush" and "admiration" :-) In any case, he sure does beat any current Lebanese leader!

Zounazar, according to me, I would have preferred to leave the choice to the visitor. It's up to him to decide if he cares to reveal his identity or not.

Zou, I can personally read arabic. No problem there bro.Eve, you can't seriously judge Bush by a movie can you? Moore was never subjective, he decided that Bush was bad and went out to prove it. I'm not saying that Bush is the Messiah, but I do believe that the man isn't as bad as he's portrayed to be.

Tempest, la2, akid mish bass heik. The movie was just an example... did you mean to say he was never objective? I know how producers can tamper with images as they like, but there were scenes that are just beyond that: They didn't have to manipulate anything to make him look bad, he did the job by himself :-) Halla2 akid the element of exaggeration is conceivable in all matters.

zounazar, you speak four, i speak five. my arabic isn't perfect, but i can read and understand you. do i have to pass an arabic test to be lebanese? i hope not! ;)

i think we should have registered comments because there is a chance for evil-doers to come into our forum and spam our comments. from my experience at IBC, i would like to avoid it completely. but if you can think of a compromise, i'm very willing to listen.

who else is for anonymous comments?

i see this as a public place for lebanese. if you're willing to come here, you should be willing to own up to your opinions.

i could be taking a break from blogging for a while as i'm undergoing some big changes in my life.